In a compassionate move following a devastating aviation tragedy, Gujarat University has announced a full waiver of tuition fees for medical students injured in the recent Ahmedabad air crash. The decision comes in response to a formal request by the Junior Doctors’ Association, which highlighted the physical, emotional, and financial toll the incident has taken on the affected students and their families.
The Tragic Incident
On June 12, an Air India flight bound for London crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft ploughed into the hostel mess of B.J. Medical College, where students were gathered for lunch. The crash claimed the lives of four MBBS students and injured several others, including resident doctors and physiotherapy students.
On Thursday, Gujarat University in Ahmedabad announced that it would waive the tuition fees for 14 students who were injured when an Air India aircraft crashed into the hostel dining area of B.J. Medical College on June 12. In addition, the university committed to reimbursing any tuition fees already paid by the affected students.
The decision came just a day after the Junior Doctors’ Association submitted a formal appeal to the university on Wednesday, urging that the fees be waived. Citing the “serious impact” on the students’ physical and mental well-being, as well as the financial strain caused by the incident, the association emphasized that waiving the fees would serve as meaningful support for the affected students and their families. “We respectfully request that the university authorities waive the educational fees of the injured students. This would provide crucial relief during this difficult time,” the association had stated in its plea.
The President of the Junior Doctors’ Association told The Indian Express:
Based on our request, the university has announced to waive off the tuition fee of 14 injured students, studying in MBBS and MD courses. Also, it has been decided that the fee they have submitted will be returned to them.Dhaval Gamit, President of the Junior Doctors’ Association
The tragic incident occurred shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, when an Air India flight from Ahmedabad to Gatwick crashed into the hostel mess of B.J. Medical College, where students were gathered for lunch.
(Rh/Mradula U Naik/MSM/SE)